Indiana officials have formally requested major disaster relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
The request comes after severe storms flooded homes and left thousands without power. A major disaster declaration would provide additional funding for uninsured individuals.
State aid has already been made available for displaced families — those funds are about $5,000 for food and other basic necessities. The state is also providing housing vouchers for individuals.
Now the state is waiting to see if the federal government approves a major disaster declaration for individual and public assistance in 54 counties.
Those funds would be in addition to the $5 million already promised by the Trump Administration.
Braun announced on Friday that the state was pursuing an expedited declaration to help unlock “significantly more resources” for recovery efforts.
Braun told WRTV on Thursday he thinks it’s likely the federal government will approve the request.
“I'd be surprised if it doesn't, but it'll be compared to things like Katrina, North Carolina, Mystic Camp near Kerrville, Texas,” Braun said. “When you have pictures of our floods being seen on TV for up to a week-that doesn't happen very often.”
U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind) posted a statement online in support of Braun. He said that he believes “Indiana qualifies for this level of federal assistance.”
Separately, Indianapolis’ Mayor Joe Hogsett also declared a local disaster emergency on Friday.
“We continue to operate under a Category B FEMA emergency declaration and await word on a full FEMA disaster declaration,” Hogsett said.
Contact Government Reporter Benjamin Thorp at bthorp@wfyi.org
